RELENTLESS rain caused a near total wash-out of non-League football last weekend and the effects were still being felt on Tuesday when matches in the Combined Counties and Wessex Leagues were again postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

However, the new artificial pitch at Anstey Park came into its own as Alton Town Reserves trounced Tadley Calleva 7-2 in the Wyvern Combination.

The 3G pitch had been used last Saturday when Alton Town and Farnham Town, both denied league action, played a hastily arranged friendly. It was a good work-out for both squads, with Farnham winning 3-1.

Alton face probably their toughest test on the new pitch this Saturday when they host Amesbury, currently third in the Wessex Division One.

Farnham, without a Combined Counties fixture, are gearing up for their Surrey Senior Cup third-round match at Whyteleafe (Ryman League Div I South) on Tuesday, January 12.

Badshot Lea, away to Spelthorne in the league this Saturday, also bid to reach the quarter-finals of the Surrey Senior Cup on Tuesday. The Baggies are home to Merstham (Ryman Premier) at Ash United’s Shawfield Road ground.

Former Alton Town winger Alex Lowley has left Petersfield Town to sign for Wessex Premier club AFC Portchester.

Camberley thrashed Farnborough 7-0 in the Aldershot Senior Cup second round this week.

Alresford Town return to Wessex Premier League action with a home match against Fareham this Saturday.